1st Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)
The 1st Panzer Division was an armored division of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was one of the original panzer divisions formed in 1935 and participated in most of the major campaigns of the war on the European continent.
Formation and Early Campaigns:
Formed on October 15, 1935, in Weimar, the 1st Panzer Division was a key component of Germany's new armored forces. It participated in the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) in 1938 and the occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. Its first major combat test came during the invasion of Poland in September 1939, where it played a significant role in the rapid German victory, demonstrating the effectiveness of Blitzkrieg tactics.
Western Campaigns (1940):
In 1940, the 1st Panzer Division participated in the invasion of France and the Low Countries. It was part of Panzergruppe Guderian and played a critical role in the breakthrough at Sedan, enabling the rapid advance into France. It then participated in the encirclement of Allied forces in Belgium and northern France.
Eastern Front (1941-1945):
Following the Western campaign, the 1st Panzer Division was redeployed to the Eastern Front for Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. It fought as part of Army Group North, advancing through the Baltic states towards Leningrad. The division subsequently participated in numerous battles on the Eastern Front, including the battles for Moscow (1941), Demyansk (1942), Kursk (1943), and in defensive battles during the Soviet offensives of 1944 and 1945.
Organization and Equipment:
The 1st Panzer Division's composition evolved throughout the war. Initially, it was equipped primarily with Panzer I and Panzer II tanks, later receiving more advanced Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. The division also included motorized infantry, artillery, and anti-tank units. Its organization was typical of a German Panzer Division, designed for rapid movement and concentrated firepower.
Commanders:
Notable commanders of the 1st Panzer Division included:
- Generalleutnant Maximilian Freiherr von Weichs (1935-1937)
- Generalmajor Rudolf Schmidt (1937-1939)
- Generalleutnant Friedrich Kirchner (1939-1941)
- Generalmajor Walter Krüger (1941-1942)
- Generalleutnant Adelbert Schulz (1943-1944)
- Generalleutnant Eberhard Thunert (1944-1945)
Surrender:
The remnants of the 1st Panzer Division surrendered to Soviet forces in May 1945 in East Prussia.
War Crimes:
Units of the 1st Panzer Division have been implicated in war crimes during the invasion of the Soviet Union.